Question

How are the wavelengths in the two media related to the speeds of light in those media?

Options

• \[\frac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\frac{v_2}{v_1}\]

• \[\frac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\frac{v_1}{v_2}\]

• \[\frac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\frac{v_1}{v_1+v_2}\]

• \[\frac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=v_1v_2\]

Answer 1

The frequency \[\nu\] remains the same in both media. Dividing \[\lambda_1=\frac{v_1}{\nu}\] by \[\lambda_2=\frac{v_2}{\nu}\] gives \[\frac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\frac{v_1}{v_2}\].